In my humble opinion… there is no wrong or right way to set up a membership program. However I do think there are a few guidelines on what the “right” is and should be:
1) You can manage it! – This is a biggie; if you go with a piece of software or a purchased solution that you or someone on your team can’t manage, what is the point? You are going to be so frustrated you may never launch or you launch, and your members are frustrated because they are not getting what they paid for or expected.
2) User friendly – This has to be looked at. When you know who your target audience is, and their comfort level with technology, you have a much better idea on what type of program features to offer. Can your audience barely navigate email? Are they more web-savvy and understand how to login and navigate around your website?
These 2 are the most crucial considerations in my book – and must be looked at before deciding on any membership site software solution.
Back in the post “Stop Making It So Difficult”, it was pointed out that we tend to over-complicate projects, that we need to take a step back and break it down to its most basic component. I tend to get excited and overcomplicate things myself, especially when I am listening to too many “gurus” who each are saying, “This is the best way….”. Once I know what I want to offer my members, and how I want to present the information–keeping in mind my audience’s comfort level of comfort with technology–the solution many times presents itself. Start simple! Remember you can always add on later.
There is a LOT of information out there–lists of pros and cons, arguments of what is better then what, reasons why this is the “must have feature” – it can quickly become overwhelming. Read one more review, and you just might go bonkers or even worse- not take that first step of getting your site started.
It is worth repeating; start simple!
- How much money do you have right now to spend on this project?
- How many features and bells and whistles do you really need?
- What are you realistically going to be able to maintain and keep up with?
Is it possible that all you need to get started is a weekly email with a link to a page on your site to access the training?
On the other hand, you may find you need to have a place for protected files, a place for members to connect. That is when you take a step up and move beyond email.
But there is NOTHING wrong with starting with a weekly email! It is quick and easy to set up and get done quickly.
Then when you are ready, take a look at what your members are asking for, and see if it is time to bump up the features and benefits you offer… and thus possibly offer it at a new higher price tag??
My favorite combo is WordPress and WishList Member – a program that lets you start as basic as you want and grows with you as you need to add features like a forum, download pages, message wall, member directory… With this combination you can still start with a simple weekly email and then grow as your members ask for more.
You can read more about WishList here.
Are there any membership program ideas sitting on your shelf or in your idea book? Have you been feeling overwhelmed on what you “should have” or the options available? Ask! Ask questions, get feedback, survey your target audience – find out what they are looking for and how you can help.
Remember, you don’t have to do it ALL right now… start uber simple and build on that foundation. Now that is the RIGHT way to set up a membership site.
